The bands make their first bows since 2007 and 2001, respectively.
Two veteran acts return to Billboard airplay charts, as Semisonic and Bright Eyes both bow on the Adult Alternative Songs airplay list dated July 25.
Bright Eyes, led by Conor Oberst, debuts at No. 37 with “Mariana Trench,” from the band’s album Down in the Weeds, Where the World Once Was, due Aug. 21. It’s the act’s second airplay chart entry, after Cassadaga single “Four Winds” reached No. 22 in June 2007. In between, the group released one album, The People’s Key, in 2011.
That said, Oberst made a pair of Adult Alternative Songs visits between Bright Eyes entries’, both as part of groups. Monsters of Folk‘s “Say Please” hit No. 20 in November 2009, and Better Oblivion Community Center‘s “Dylan Thomas” reached No. 21 in April 2019.
Semisonic, meanwhile, revisits Adult Alternative Songs after a much longer break. “You’re Not Alone” debuts at No. 40, marking the Dan Wilson-led band’s first airplay chart appearance since “Chemistry,” which peaked at Nos. 6, 31 and 39 on Adult Alternative Songs, Adult Pop Songs and Alternative Airplay in 2001.
The band’s signature hit, “Closing Time,” spent five weeks atop Alternative Songs and crossed to No. 4 on Adult Pop Songs and No. 8 on Pop Songs in 1998.
Semisonic has not released an LP since 2001’s All About Chemistry. “You’re Not Alone” is from an EP of the same name due Sept. 18. In between those sets, Wilson has become an in-demand songwriter, with credits including Adele‘s “Someone Like You,” The Chicks‘ “Not Ready to Make Nice” and Dierks Bentley‘s “Home.”
Despite Bright Eyes and Semisonic’s notable absences, another act recently ended an even longer break between Adult Alternative Songs hits. In May, Fiona Apple returned to the list after a record 20-year, three-month wait with “Shameika.” The song ranks at No. 29 after reaching No. 19 in June.
